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Up to now, the X social media network has restricted its Grok AI chatbot to subscribers but news is emerging of imminent change.
The platform is preparing to make certain aspects of Grok available to all users, beginning with a trial run in New Zealand.
The pilot test will let the platform assess how its offering works with many more users having access, as well as learning how a wider audience will use it.
Over the last couple of days, various X researchers and developers teased the rollout with limited information provided on how the free version will operate.
One stated the initial restrictions would mean a maximum of 10 queries every two hours with the Grok-2 model, up to 20 queries every two hours with the Grok-2 mini model, and only three image analysis requests permitted each day.
Grok-2 was launched by xAI in August, with image generation tech now complemented by image analysis capabilities after an update last month.
To use the free Grok service, your X account needs to be at least seven days old with a phone number linked to the account.
BREAKING: Free Grok is coming(With limits)👀! It will be limited locations at first pic.twitter.com/V8tbV8QkQt
— Lohan Simpson (@Lohansimpson) November 10, 2024
What can the xAI-built chatbot do?
Not to be confused with AI chipmaking startup Groq, Elon Musk’s Grok has been built by his xAI research company, with the service primarily embedded into the X platform.
With a mega-cluster of 100,000 Nvidia GPUs to train Grok, the xAI offering can provide detailed analysis of an account or post on the network. It can also code, respond to other queries using real-time internet access, and react to general breaking news on X.
Opening up Grok to more users will add to its appeal and reach, with the company potentially eyeing further growth in the race to compete with the likes of ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
Beyond New Zealand, a further rollout of the free offering has been mooted but at this stage, it is unclear which regions will receive it, and when.
Image credit: Via Midjourney
